Sponsors (28)
Requires upfront disclosure when AI emulates a human in robocalls/texts and doubles penalties for AI-enabled impersonation intended to defraud, harm, or wrongfully obtain value.
Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require disclosures with respect to robocalls using artificial intelligence and to provide for enhanced penalties for certain violations involving artificial intelligence voice or text message impersonation, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 5, 2025 by Eric Sorensen · Last progress February 5, 2025
The bill increases transparency and enforcement to reduce AI-driven impersonation scams and protect consumers, but it creates compliance costs and legal ambiguities that could burden legitimate businesses and prompt litigation.
Taxpayers and everyday consumers will face fewer AI-driven robocalls and text scams because the bill strengthens enforcement and penalties that deter malicious AI impersonation.
Consumers will know when a call or text is generated by AI because callers must disclose AI use at the start of the message, letting recipients better assess credibility and risk of deception.
Federal regulators (FCC, DOJ) and state/local governments will have clearer and stronger tools to identify, investigate, and punish malicious AI impersonation, improving accountability for perpetrators.
Tech companies, small businesses, and developers face legal uncertainty because ambiguous terms (e.g., what counts as AI 'impersonation' or 'substantial human intervention') could spark litigation and chill lawful uses of synthetic voice/text.
Businesses that use AI for legitimate outreach or communications will incur higher compliance costs and legal risk from disclosure and enforcement requirements, increasing operational burdens.
Consumers and taxpayers could face higher prices or reduced services because higher penalties and increased compliance costs for firms may be passed on to customers.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires callers and texters who use artificial intelligence to emulate a human voice to disclose at the start of the call or message that AI is being used, and increases monetary penalties when AI-enabled calls or texts impersonate someone with intent to defraud, harm, or wrongfully obtain value. The bill updates the federal robocall law to define covered automated calls and messages, specify covered messaging channels, and double civil and criminal maximum penalties for specified AI-enabled impersonation violations occurring after enactment.